This will be my 32nd year of teaching in St. Paul and my 31st year teaching at Capitol Hill. My first year was spent at Johnson High School and Hazel Park Academy.

Every year is always exciting and filled with many adventures and opportunities for both the students and myself. As always, I am looking forward to meeting and teaching this year's group of eighth graders.

I have spent my entire career teaching in the classroom. I received my undergraduate degree from Hamline University with a major in English and a minor in Education. After my second year of teaching, I went back to school in the evenings and summer to receive my Master's Degree in English Literature from the University of St. Thomas.

In addition to my English degrees, I also have extensive training in the area of debate, so that we can offer debate as an optional core course (in place of ELA first semester) to 8th graders here at Capitol Hill. It has been an extremely successful program here at Capitol Hill and I'm delighted to say that we will still be participating in the Urban Debate League (UDL) this year.

When I am not in the classroom teaching or at home reading students' writing, I enjoy reading mystery novels, playing tennis, and hanging out with my family. My family consists of two boys, Josh and Jake, a very busy husband, and an energetic black labrador named Sadie Lou. My family also enjoys fishing quite a bit during the relaxing summer months.

My classroom, room 2314, is located on the second floor near the middle school bathrooms.